01/09/2025 08:20
Max Verstappen was completely helpless in his fight against McLaren
in the Dutch Grand Prix, with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko having
revealed that he faced a "huge" pace deficit. Verstappen started
his home race in third but overtook Lando Norris for second on the
opening lap, before falling back behind the Briton shortly after.
Red Bull through everything it had at McLaren, and fitted
Verstappen with the best tyres possible to attack the Woking-based
team. Unfortunately, it was to no avail, due to Red Bull being a
full second slower per lap, according to Marko. Fortunately for
the four-time world champion, a late power unit failure for Norris
promoted the Dutchman into second at Zandvoort. "Surprising," Marko
told Sky DE , addressing Verstappen claiming second "It came about
in a fortunate way, but still. "The difference with McLaren in the
race was huge. When they wanted to, they were driving away at a
second a lap. That shows we still have a lot of work to do."
'Flawless' Hadjar Despite another comfortable victory for McLaren,
the podium was completed by two Red Bull family drivers. Racing
Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar joined Verstappen on the rostrum after
finishing in an impressive third, following an excellent race where
he started fourth on the grid. The French-Algerian rookie drove
brilliantly, and held off the likes of George Russell and Charles
Leclerc. "Hadjar drove flawlessly under a lot of pressure," added
Marko. "To get a podium at such a young age is very promising. He
handles setbacks without any problem. "For example, in third
practice, I believe, the battery was broken. In the second one, a
sensor didn't work properly, but he handles all that well. "He
stays positive, never looks for blame on the car, but when
something happens he always says, 'Sorry, that was me.' So a very
ambitious, honest, but also fast young man."
